Bucks center Larry Sanders leaves the court Wednesday after his ejection against the Wizards. He was fined for comments after being ejected again Friday against the Heat. / Alex Brandon, AP

by Adi Joseph, USA TODAY Sports

by Adi Joseph, USA TODAY Sports

Larry Sanders showed his sarcastic side Wednesday in giving thumbs up signs to referees after his ejection against the Washington Wizards. The Milwaukee Bucks center apparently showed his nasty side for Friday's ejection, against the Miami Heat.

The NBA fined Sanders $50,000 Sunday for what he said leading to and after his ejection from a 107-94 home loss.

"Sanders directed a derogatory and offensive term to the officials and was subsequently ejected. Following the game he publicly criticized the officials," the league said in a release.

The big blow probably came because Sanders did something the NBA does not like: He suggested there might be some bias in officiating.

"I can imagine it's hard for a referee to ref a Miami Heat game," Sanders said Friday, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "It's hard for me to take that sometimes. I feel like things are kind of swayed. Maybe (I should) care a little less."

Sanders has emerged as one of the best defensive players in the NBA this season, leading the league with 3.1 blocks a game while grabbing 9.2 rebounds a game and stabilizing the Bucks' defense. He has an injured knee but has played with it anyway. He had 13 points and 11 rebounds in Sunday's win against the Orlando Magic.